Dong Sun, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Physiology

My research is mainly focusing on the regulation of endothelial function of arterioles. In particular, endothelial compensatory mechanisms in response to an impaired endothelial nitric oxide (NO) signaling and endothelial deformation-induced initiation of NO-dependent vascular protective mechanisms are studied.

In recent years, I intensively focused my research on endothelial dysfunction of microvessels in response to vascular aging. Using isolated arterioles to assess flow-induced dilation and shear stress-induced release of NO, I demonstrated that age-associated endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an impaired NO bioavailability, due to a decreased shear stress-induced eNOS phosphorylation, an increased superoxide formation and a decreased antioxidant capacity. The increased superoxide formation in aged vessels is a consequence of eNOS uncoupling and increased expression of NADPH oxidase.